The next week passed in a hurry. Everything passed by quite normal. Gloria came into class every day, closed the curtains, and commenced with Harry's now favorite class. Snape was being as foul as ever, and Hagrid was now teaching them the proper diet of a herlicus. Everything was rather dull and uneventful which unnerved Harry slightly. He was use to having dreams about Voldemort, and his scar had never gone this long without a tingle or a burn. In fact, Harry hadn't felt his scar fluxuate with Voldemort's mood since the end of last school term. He posted Quidditch tryouts the following Wednesday, and he was quite nervous. He had only led the D.A., and he hoped Quidditch would go as smoothly. Wednesday came quick enough, and Harry went down to the pitch with his Firebolt to practice during his free period. He kicked off from the ground and remembered how alive he felt soaring through the air. The air had a slight chill to it now as they moved further into September, and it felt refreshing. He practiced for an hour or so on some new moves that he had read about in the new book Hermione had given him. He finally slowed down and glanced down at the pitch. A small group of Gryffindors was watching him with their mouths open. He flew down quickly and hopped off his broom.

"You're amazing, mate," Dennis Creevey said, his eyes as big as Galleons.

"Thanks, Dennis," Harry said modestly.

He looked around and saw the team, minus Sloper and Kirke, standing a few feet away from him. He excused himself and walked to his team who was talking in hushed tones.

"What's up?" Harry asked.

"Sloper and Kirke quit," Ron said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Oh, that's too bad," Harry said sarcastically and Katie Bell and Ginny laughed.

They all turned toward the group that was eager to tryout, which included Dennis, Dean, Seamus, Parvati, her best friend Lavender Brown, and a young boy Harry didn't recognize.

"Who's that?" Harry asked.

"That's Mark Evans," Ginny said. "He's a first year, so I don't know how good he's going to be or if McGonagall will even let him play."

"Well, she let me play," Harry said. "Maybe if he's good enough, she'll let him."

Harry walked over to the team hopefuls.

"Hullo!" he said cheerfully. "We were only trying out for two new Chasers, but our two Beaters have mysteriously quit on us, so we will be filling those spots today, too."

Everyone's smile got bigger as they realized their chances of getting on the team had just risen dramatically.

"We'll be starting off just practicing some passes, then we'll split up and work with the whole team," Harry said. "Everyone in the air then!"

Everyone nodded enthusiastically, and they all shot upward on their brooms. Harry passed the Quaffle to Ginny who caught it gracefully and threw it to Seamus who also caught it well. Seamus threw to Dennis who dropped it, but Ginny swiftly flew down and caught it just before it hit the grass. Harry smiled and knew he had a just found one of his new Chasers. Ginny passed to Lavender who made an impressive catch. They split up after that, and Harry unleashed the Bludgers. Dean and Seamus were very good, and Parvati was okay, but Harry scratched her out when she wailed loudly that a Bludger had just broken her nail.

"Be thankful it wasn't your arm," Harry said to her remembering in his second year when he had to have all the bones in his arm regrown.

Parvati shot him a nasty look but kept playing. Harry then turned to watch Mark Evans. He was beyond impressed. While Mark wasn't as big as most Beaters tended to be, he still had strength and speed. His quickness helped him dodge Bludgers easily, and Harry once saw him hit a Bludger so hard, it caused Dean to go into a bad rendition of the Sloth Grip Roll. After an hour, Harry had made up his mind, and called them all down.

"I've made my decisions," Harry said. "Do you want me to tell you now or post it on the notice board?"

"Tell us now, mate," Dean said. "We can take it."

"Alright," Harry began. "Ginny Weasley and Lavender Brown are our new Chasers, and Mark Evans and Seamus Finnigan are our new Beaters."

Everyone clapped politely, and Harry saw Parvati stomp off toward the castle with Lavender calling after her. Dennis looked crestfallen, but Dean seemed to be taking it well.

"I think I'll be the new announcer," Harry heard Dean say to Seamus. "I just hope I can piss off McGonagall as well as Lee did!"

Everyone laughed, and Harry felt good about the team this year.

"First practice is next Tuesday," Harry told them, mentally making a note not to have a D.A. meeting that night.

"We'll be there, mate!" Seamus said, and they left the pitch.

Harry and Ron stayed behind and practiced until dusk. They finally called it a day and trudged back up to the castle. As they entered the common room, Harry saw Hermione diligently working on more elf hats.

"Are you still on about spew with everything else going on in the world?" Ron asked as he sat down beside her.

"It's S.P.E.W., and yes," she said, looking somewhat insulted. "House-elves still are not getting what they deserve."

"Especially Kreacher," Harry said, thinking Kreacher deserved to be used as a Bludger at their next Quidditch match.

"Even Kreacher," Hermione said. "He was old and didn't know-,"

"Shut it, Hermione," Ron said wisely.

"I hold Kreacher in the same respect as Wormtail or Voldemort," Harry said through clenched teeth. "Oh, just to let you know Dobby has been taking all of your elf clothes. Not one ruddy elf has been freed by you and your so-called 'hats'."

Hermione opened her mouth, but Harry stood up and marched up the stairs before she could say anything.

"Way to be tactful," Harry heard Ron say to her as he walked off.

Harry threw his wand on his bedside table roughly and changed into his pajamas fuming with anger. He flung himself on his bed and drew the curtains. He didn't think he would sleep for hours because he was so mad at Hermione, but as soon as he closed his eyes he drifted off.

"Now, Bellatrix," Dumbledore said calmly. "I'm sure she wasn't using it for personal mischief. I've known her for quite some time, and I don't believe she would use it to hurt anyone."

"She was, Headmaster," Bellatrix said in a falsely sweet voice. "I saw her talking to it."

"I wasn't going to use it to hurt anyone, Headmaster," the younger pleaded.

"Now, Dumbledore," another voice said from behind the two girls.

The person stepped up to Dumbledore's desk. It was Cornelius Fudge.

"I personally believe Bellatrix," Fudge said, eyeing the younger girl disdainfully. "But seeing as there is only word against word and no proof, I have a solution."

Dumbledore didn't respond, but looked at the Minister with a slightly amused look on his face.

"She needs to be punished for going into the Forbidden Forest," Fudge continued. "And this torch needs to be relocated immediately."

"Thank you, Cornelius," Dumbledore said. "Very well, then. You will receive two weeks detention," he directed at the youngest girl. "And the Minister and I will discuss what to do with the torch."

The younger girl opened her mouth to protest, but Dumbledore held up his hand.

"And I implore you not to go looking for it again, my little Lee."

With these words, the younger girl fell quiet and smiled weakly at Dumbledore, her eyes filled with understanding.

"You are both dismissed," Dumbledore said, and the two girls left his office.

As soon as they had cleared the door, Bellatrix turned to the other girl.

"Don't ever cross my path again, Mudblood," Bellatrix spat and stalked off to the dungeons.

The younger girl didn't say a word, and with a tiny triumphant smile on her face, watched Bellatrix until she couldn't see her anymore.